Greetings from sunny Miami!  Wednesday September 21st, 2016  ONE Sotheby’s International Realty is took over our Instagram to showcase some of their most luxurious properties in South Florida. Are you ready?

10001 Fairchild Way Rd, Coral Gables

10001 Fairchild Way Rd., is a first-class, resort-style property. One of its most impressive features is the home theater, and wine display with a capacity for 256 bottles. It’s your own private paradise. Listing price: $ 6,750,000. Listed by @BenMossGroup #InstaTakeover #ONESIR #OnlyWithOne #CoralGables #LuxuryHome

13150 SW 75th Ave, Pinecrest

Nestled between lush of foliage and palms, 13150 SW 75^th Ave in Pinecrest boasts 5 spacious bedrooms impeccably designed with luxury finishes throughout. Listing price: $1,399,990. Listed by @mitbbhuta #InstaTakeover #ONESIR #OnlyWithOne #Pinecrest #LuxuryHome

 2980 Paddock Road, Weston

2980 Paddock Road in Weston has an impressive grand foyer, a gourmet kitchen, home theatre, billiard room, and a walk-in humidor with cigar & poker room. This home is definitely one for the books! Listing price: $4,000,000. Listed by @benwestby #InstaTakeover #ONESIR #OnlyWithOne #Weston #LuxuryHome

Aqualina – 7875 Collins Ave., Unit 706

Residence #706 in Aqualina is an exquisite beachfront corner unit with extended balconies and unbelievable views. If you’re looking for a resort lifestyle, this is idea the ideal home for you. Listed price:  $4,200,000.  #InstaTakeover #ONESIR #OnlyWithOne #Aqualina #LuxuryHome

800 Diplomat Pkwy, Hallandale

This Mediterranean masterpiece features 7,404 sq. ft. of interior living space more than 150 Sq. Ft of waterfront and ocean access.  Listing price: $2,850,000. Listed by @lindag.properties  #InstaTakeover #ONESIR #OnlyWithOne #Hallandale #LuxuryHome

Segovia Tower / 600 Coral Way, Unit Penthouse & 15, Coral Gables

If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a sky-high residence with amazing views, this is your chance. This three-story penthouse has a breathtaking Mediterranean design with luxury amenities that include a wine cellar, library, billiard room, and much more. Listing price: $10,499,000. Listed by @Saddy_Luxury_Homes and Lourdes Alatriste. Thanks so much for joining us today, we hope you enjoyed our tour! #InstaTakeover #ONESIR #OnlyWithOne #CoralGables #LuxuryHome

NEWPORT, R.I — Newport’s historic Swanhurst Carriage House, built in 1851 at 447 Bellevue Avenue, has been sold for $3,271,000.

The recorded sale of this historic and stunning residence took place on August 26^th.  Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty’s sales associate Kate Greenman represented the seller during this transaction.

The historic stone carriage house has 4,550 square feet of exquisitely designed living space, beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds surrounding a Gunite pool and separate guest cottage.

The carriage house was once part of the Swanhurst estate, which included a manor house at 443 Bellevue Ave.

What’s Trending?

Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty is excited to announce its upcoming Instagram take-over with local personalities and Instagram phenoms Nicholas Mele with A Social Life and Blair Flynn at Balance with B.  Over the next few months, Gustave White will highlight these homegrown Rhode Island characters in the extraordinary properties we represent.   Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook as we showcase our best real-estate offerings within Newport and its surrounding areas.

A Social Life – The Mele Family’s Photographic Adventures in Wonderland

The Waves – Photo by Nicholas Mele

Nick Mele is an East Coast based photographer whose photographs of America’s remaining “Grand Dames” among others have been featured in publications such as Vanity Fair, Town and Country, Quest and Manhattan Magazine.  Nick has recently begun documenting his family’s adventures in Newport and elsewhere in a tongue-and-cheek Instagram profile called: A Social Life.   Follow along as he spins clever and whimsical story lines featuring his wife Molly, son Johnny, and dog Bodhi as they visit Gustave White’s prestigious and exclusive listings.

Welcome Blair Flynn – Yoga, Wellness and Health Food Blogger

Photo by Maaike Bernstrom Photography

As a local Aquidneck Islander, Blair Flynn has a deep love and gratitude for her New England roots.  Blair was raised to appreciate Newport summers, soaking up every last ray of sunshine whilst swimming and boating.  Her recent journey into health and wellness has not gone unnoticed.  Blair has taken her newfound expertise to the next level.  Quickly becoming an Instagram sensation, Blair’s wholesome journey through Gustave White’s luxury properties can be followed here.

A waterfront property at 179 Indian Avenue in Portsmouth, sold Wednesday for $2 million.

This is the highest sale price in Portsmouth this year according to the Multiple Listing Service.

Sales associates Jay Serzan and Jose Aguon of Gustave White Sotheby’s represented the seller.

The buyers were represented by Dina Karousos and Nicki Lucenti also with Gustave White Sotheby’s.

The 1.92 acre property has nearly 190 feet of water frontage with a beach on the Sakonnet Passage.

The property was renovated in 2007 and has approximately 2,590 square feet of living space on one level plus a lower level guest space.

The property was listed in July of 2015 for $2,550,000 and was on the market for 308 days.

An article found in Architectural Digest – Designer Tom Stringer offers tips for displaying—or hiding—your TV

One of the most seemingly invincible pieces of your property is your concrete driveway. After all, concrete is hard, durable, and can stand all types of weather, right? Almost right. Like all other things in your home, your concrete driveway needs a little TLC every once in a while, too. One of your first areas of defense to keep your driveway beautiful amidst your curb appeal is repairing any cracks as they happen. According to the Concrete Network, concrete is a mixture of water, aggregate (rock, sand, or gravel) and cement. Even the most well-poured concrete driveway is subject to cracking from soil settling, tree roots, or overweight loads. As the concrete continues to expand and contract throughout the hot and cold seasons, these cracks have potential to grow and splinter off. Repairing the cracks right away will save you more work in the long run.

Begin by identifying all cracks that need to be repaired. Sidewalk chalk is a great option for marking the places that will be filled. Next comes the cleaning of the offending fissure. You may use a hard tool to scrape out larger pieces of debris. Brush out any old concrete crumbles and remove any plants that may have taken up residence. A pressure washer or hose may be used to spray out any leftovers. Be sure to clean the crack well to ensure that the new material used to fill the crack will properly bond with the existing driveway.  Next, prepare your filling. The options for what to fill it with vary, and many of the options depend on the size of the crack and the local area’s weather. Tougher weather conditions call for a sealant, caulking, or concretes that can stand the harshness. For smaller cracks, there are sealants and caulking that are easy-to-use, don’t require mixing, and boast quick curing times. Other options include the tried and true remedy of dry concrete mix. If the crack is large enough, it is recommended to obtain a concrete mix that contains gravel.  Finally, fill the crack. If using a sealant in a bottle resembling a caulking tube, then load your caulk gun and fill away. For the traditional concrete mix, pour the concrete evenly into the space using a tool such as a trowel, and make sure its compressed firmly. Then, use the trowel to scrape away any excess filling and smooth down the area. Now the wait begins. The concrete must be given ample time to cure, overnight at the very least, before anything is driven over the repair. To help maintain the repair and the rest of your concrete driveway, go ahead and apply a high quality water sealer to protect your hard work.

What may seem like a difficult project is rather simple when broken down. Simply use the above steps as a guideline, follow your chosen concrete filler’s instructions to a tee, and in less than 48 hours your once cracked driveway will be restored to its solid former self.

Along with the dishes, you’ll be doing a lot of prep work at the sink. Remember that if you have an island in your kitchen, the cabinets in the island directly opposite of the sink are also convenient.Have you heard of the “kitchen confusion dance?”  It’s where you dance around the kitchen opening and closing cabinet doors in search of utensils, plates and bowls or a small appliance.

Moving into a kitchen, whether in a new-to-you home or after remodeling, is full of decisions. After assisting countless clients as a professional organizer and seven moves of my own, I’ve got more tricks up my sleeve than a magician.

As you pull a jumble of kitchen items from boxes, you really do have a goal. It isn’t just to get everything stashed out of sight in your new cabinets, but to create a smooth, working kitchen. You’ll want to maximize all of the storage provided by your cabinets and be very selective about what you choose to leave out on your counters so that you have plenty of room for food preparation.  Consider these tips, then use some sticky notes to temporarily label your kitchen cabinets. It will make unpacking much easier if you take a moment to plan before diving in.

Start at the Dishwasher: There is no task you will do more often than unload your dishwasher. Make it as easy as possible by locating the most common items as close as you can to the dishwasher.

• Drinking glasses: Choose the cabinet closest to the dishwasher. You can carry a stack of plates across the kitchen, but you can only carry a few glasses at a time. Put them in the easiest-to-reach location.
• Silverware: Choose the drawer closest to the dishwasher that is large enough for your collection.
• Everyday dishes: Choose the next-closest cabinet for plates and bowls.
• Coffee mugs: There are two great options depending on your cabinet locations: either near the dishwasher, or decide upon your coffee maker location and place the mugs close to that.
• Children’s dishes: If you have sippy cups and plastic ware for your young ones, choose a shelf or drawer in a lower cabinet so the children can easily reach their own cups, plates and bowls.

Explore Near the Sink: Along with the dishes, you’ll be doing a lot of prep work at the sink. Remember that if you have an island in your kitchen, the cabinets in the island directly opposite of the sink are also convenient.

• Dish washing: Claim half of the cabinet space under the sink for dish and kitchen cleaning products. If you have a young family, make sure to take appropriate safety precautions.
• Chef knives: Place your knives near the sink, either in a block or use a nearby drawer.
• Cutting boards: Locate cutting boards under the sink or in a lower cabinet very close to the sink.
• Colanders and Strainers: You’ll be grabbing colanders or strainers for rinsing berries or other produce. Choose a location close to your cutting boards and knives.
• Towels: Wet hands at the sink means you’ll grab for a towel. Choose a near-by drawer or even a basket under the sink.

Warm Up to the Stove: Gather everything you use for the stove and oven and locate it nearby. An under-the-oven drawer is great for broiler and baking pans, saucepans and lids or skillets.

• Pots, Pans and Skillets: Locate in a deep drawer or cabinet convenient to the stove.
• Casseroles and Baking Pans: Both upper and lower cabinets or deep drawers can work for these.
• Cooking Utensils: Collect all the spatulas, scrapers and spoons you use at the stovetop and locate them nearby in an attractive crock or close-by drawer.
• Pot holders: Add a couple of removable stick-on hooks inside a door close to the stove and oven for pot holders.

Allocate the Rest: Now that you’ve assigned storage to the basics, you can allocate your cabinet space to the remaining items. There will always be odds and ends, such as plastic leftover dishes, so think in categories and put like-items together.

• Food Storage: If you don’t have a dedicated pantry, choose several kitchen cabinets located next to each other and turn those into your pantry. You don’t want food spread all over the kitchen.
• Baking: Creating a baking center is a great way to organize all the things used for baking. Place cake pans, muffin tins and cookie decorating tools into one area.
• Small Appliances: If you use it daily or several times per week, leave it out. Otherwise, store it away. Lower roll-out shelves are perfect for these.
• Entertaining: Items for entertaining, such as chip and dip sets and platters, are perfect for storing in out-of-the-way cabinets over the fridge or stove.

Source: TheRealEstate Book

As one of the busier times of year for real estate activity, summertime is ideal for sellers hoping to unload their homes for top dollar. If you’re listing a home on the market this summer, stand out from the pack with these outdoor staging tips.

Invite Buyers In: It’s no secret curb appeal matters to buyers, but too often, minor details are overlooked when setting the stage out front. To roll out the welcome for buyers, replace your worn welcome mat with a summery alternative, and install large house numbers in a prominent location that can be viewed from the street.

Shine Up the Windows: Cleaning windows inside and out can be taxing, but it makes a noticeable difference. For the exterior sides of the windows, scrub off any accumulated film from tree pollen. Buyers will be pleased to see not only a sparkling home outside, but a light-filled interior as well.

Showcase Color on a Small Scale: In lieu of a costly exterior paint job, choose specific areas outside to add color. Window boxes bursting with blooms are often well-received by buyers, as well as container plantings. If the exterior could use refreshing, consider re-painting the front door before recruiting a professional to do the entire home.

Neat and Tidy Landscaping: A well-kept home speaks volumes to buyers, and the exterior is no exception. Whether you hire a professional landscaper or DIY, trim the lawn and any hedges.  Also, make sure the outdoor spaces around your home, including the front entrance and deck, are appropriately lit. Updated light fixtures are not only aesthetically pleasing, but are an added safety feature.

Deck the Deck: Whether your home features a deck, patio, porch or other outdoor living area, take time to power wash the surface to remove any debris. If your outdoor furniture is lacking, consider purchasing a fresh set, complete with all-weather cushions and pillows in vibrant colors.

Picture Perfect Pool: Pools can be a make-or-break feature for buyers, so play it up as best you can. After having the pool cleaned by a professional, take care to skim the surface for any debris that accumulates between buyer visits. Be sure the pool cover, mechanized or otherwise, is free of damage and the filtering system is in proper working order.  Source: RISMedia’s Housecall

A bathroom renovation is a relatively easy activity to tackle. If the plumbing is already in place and you’re using standard-size pieces, there aren’t a whole lot of options for rearranging that floor plan. However, when bringing your dream design into reality, you should consider the third dimension and figure out what height is right for everything you bring into your room, from window treatments to mirrors. Consider this your guide to hanging, installing and aligning the many small features of your bathroom.

Window Treatments

In the bathroom, you want to keep window treatments simple—let go of the swoops and swags in this area. Curtains and drapery just gather mold and take up space. Instead, consider inside mounting Roman or roller shades that tuck into an existing window frame. Alternatively, hang Romans and rollers above the window casing over a smaller window to make it appear larger. You can also simply hang a valance a little higher on the wall to match the height of other elements in space while creating visual height. To keep things really sleek and simple, vinyl shutters also provide a great solution for a wet area, with the ability to inside or outside mount to maintain the sight line you’re looking to highlight.

Mirrors

Go big to reflect light and keep the bathroom bright and airy. We all know that mirrors make a room appear larger, and that’s a great perk in a bathroom. Again, make sure to run the mirror to the same height as cabinets or window casings. You can get there by framing a mirror, if necessary, or simply installing a beveled version that runs from the top of the countertop to the ceiling or crown moulding detail.

Shower Curtains

Hang the rod high for more visual height—match it to the top of the window casing. Even if it requires a custom curtain or a simple band of fabric added at the top or bottom of a ready-made version, you’ll be rewarded with a more specialized and dramatic look. This works particularly well when using an arched shower curtain rod. Not only do you achieve height requirements, but gain extra wiggle room in the actual shower.

Interior designer Kerrie Kelly is an expert on home renovations who writes about her design ideas for The Home Depot. Kerrie is also the author of the book, Home Decor: A Sunset Design Guide.